Planning approval has been given to a major €1.3 billion sewage and drainage scheme for Dublin which is critical to the provision of housing in future years.
Uisce Éireann said it had received the green light for the Greater Dublin Drainage Project from An Coimisiún Pleanála, formerly An Bord Pleanála.
The scheme services north Dublin and parts of Meath and Kildare and will provide wastewater treatment for half a million people.
While the project has received planning, there is an eight-week window during which objectors can take a judicial review.
The project is important because the treatment plant in Ringsend is currently at full capacity.
Uisce Éireann's Infrastructure Delivery Director Maria O'Dwyer said the scheme "was first submitted for planning in 2018 and since that time, population and economic growth means the volume of wastewater we are producing has continued to grow, so the delivery of this critical infrastructure project is more important than ever."
The project consists of a new regional wastewater treatment facility on a 30-acre site at Clonshaugh.
There will also be an underground orbital sewer from Blanchardstown to Clonshaugh and an outfall pipe at Baldoyle to return treated wastewater to a discharge point 6km out to sea.
Uisce Éireann is also working to upgrade the Ringsend treatment plant.
While the Greater Dublin Drainage Project will not be operational until 2032, the capital faced the danger of some homes being turned down for planning if the project did not proceed.
Uisce Éireann hails 'really positive day'
Ms O'Dwyer said the decision would allow for challenges to be addressed in wastewater capacity and to provide for future growth and housing.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One programme, she said today was a "really positive day".
"This project will give us the capacity to service a population of 500,000 people, but in addition, it will provide additional resilience to the greater Dublin area, especially where wastewater is concerned," she said.
"Today, 40% of our wastewater is treated and our Ringsend treatment plant, and Dublin is hugely reliant on it, so it's really good news to get this decision over the line."
Ms O'Dwyer added that there are some additional preconstruction statutory approvals to acquire, but that Uisce Éireann will "drive on" with its procurement strategy.
"This project is designed to protect and promote the environment, but it's also critical as supposed to allow our city to grow and to service our communities."
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'Strategic investment in our future'
Ibec have described the Greater Dublin Drainage Project as a "key piece of enabling infrastructure".
"It is a strategic investment in our future. It will also contribute to increased environmental protection in Dublin Bay, improved compliance with EU obligations, and positively contribute to higher water quality," said Aidan Sweeney, Ibec Head of Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability.
Mr Sweeney said that support was now needed for Uisce Éireann to fully deliver on the project.
"Now that planning has been finally secured, Uisce Éireann must be given all support necessary to accelerate the delivery of this vital project.
"In short, a failure to deliver the GDD within a reasonable timeline will severely undercut the ability our housing and development targets, and to contribute to an improved quality of life for all," he added.
Labour spokesperson on Health Marie Sherlock has also welcomed the developments, saying it is now critical that the Government makes sure funding for the project is available
"It is not sustainable for our whole city to be piping wastewater through our city centre to Ringsend which is now nearing capacity," she said.
"This new wastewater treatment plant would serve more than 500,000 people in Dublin's northside. Taking this pressure off from Ringsend is important to ensuring the development of housing.
"Without action from Government, Dublin is in clear trouble ... It is now absolutely critical that the Government steps up to ensure that the funding is made available so that this project can commence tendering and construction as soon as possible," added Ms Sherlock.
